ARWC 2007: Prologue (Saturday)

Saturday saw the start of the Adventure Race World Championship (ARWC). It was an early start for the teams, ferries leaving Mallaig and Arisaig at 7:30, and destined for Rum. The ferry from Arisaig was more of a fishing boat; during the crossing a few of the competitors and marshals were feeling a little under the weather and there were a few panicked dashes for the stern! Those at the back of the Mallaig ferry queue were lucky, the passenger ferry filled to capacity and the last team got flown out in a chopper. On arrival at Rum, it was quite a sight to see the kayak deck on the ferry; 200 kayaks piled up high. The weather out in the Small Isles was stunning, with the Cuillin Ridge across on Skye clearly visible.

Welcome to Rum

With the spectacular backdrop of Kinloch Castle the prologue got underway at 11:00am with a sprint around the bay and a swim back across it. Following a quick change into their running gear the teams were off into the hills. To start they headed south on a free order orienteering course designed to split the teams up. The return was along the Rum Cuillin Ridge with spectacular views and the first exposed scrambles of the event.

Helen Jackson from Team Aberdeen Asset Management approaching the final check point on the Rum Cuillin

It was one of the New Zealand teams who were first to complete the prologue. However, like many of the front teams they incurred time penalties for not carrying items of compulsory kit; on Sunday they will be given a 2 hour stop-go penalty; exact positions should be clearer then. The first Brits are Team Aberdeen Asset Management in sixth place. Teams are now camped in the bay, resting those legs for the start of the long haul on Sunday.

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